Automobile condenser



Oct. 25, 1932. R. c. PRATT AUTOMOBILE CONDENSER Filed March lO, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 25, 1932. R. c. PRATT AUTOMOBILE CONDENSER Filed March 10. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jyenfox k to the supply of 45 Witter oxygen by condensing the yvapors from the Patented ct. 1.932

RAYMOND Ci PRATT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS AUTOMOBILE coNDENsEa f Application led 'March 10, 193. Serial No. 434,517.

My present invention relates to automobile condensers, and particularly those which are in the nature of attachments for the usual automobile, radiator.

One object "of my present invention is 4to provide an improved means and method for preventingthe loss by evaporation of the cooling medium commonly employed in automobile radiators.

Another object of my invention is to provide a means land method of reducing the` corrosion in the radiator and to prevent the precipitation yof impurities in the radiator,

It has usually Vbeenfound necessary to add coolingv medium in automobile radiators from vtime to time in order to keep thesupply' therein` up tothe required level-in order to prevent overheating of the motor. n Evenvwhere the radiator'does not leak it is usually necessary at not infrequent intervals to add to the supply of rcooling medium in the radiator. This is especially true in the summer time when the cooling medium is usually water and when the oper- 25 atingtemperature thereof usually closely apf preaches the boiling point. It is well known that water contains various chemicaly salts and other impurities which are left behind when the water is evaporated. Thus the necessary continued addition of water to replenish that evaporated from the radiator has the effect' of concentrating these salts and impurities and causes the eventual precipitation of sludge in the radiator with the likelihood of clogging the radiator tubes and the water jacket passages so that the eiiciencyof Ythe cooling system is greatly reduced.

- 'It is also well known that dissolved oxygen n 40 whirl-iis usually present in water is one of the factors o'f corrosion.y I propose'to reduce corrosion withiny the radiator and water jacket by 'redi'icing the loxygen content of the 'the radiator aslby driving off the heated liquid wi hout contact with the air. "In the higher altitudes where the boiling 'pointer water or other liquids is considerably lower than at seaelevel, replenishment of the supply in the radiator `is necessary even more frequently.

In Vthe winter when the Y temperature is likely to be below the freezing point of water it is common to employ in automobile radia- "tors a mixture of water and some other liquid whose freezing point is considerably below that of water so that the automobile may be operated rduring times when the temperature is below 32C. In some localities, alcohol is commonly employed for this purpose, buty one disadvantage in the use of alcohol is that its` boiling point is considerably lower than that of water so that during the normal operation of automobiles having a mixture of aleohol'and water in the radiators thereof there 1s a'continu'al lossof the alcohol by evaporation, thus leaving behind the water` and creatvolatile ingredients thereof, and, second, to

' reduce Ycorrosion and prevent theprecipitavtion of sludge in the radiators. In the preferred embodiment of my invention and which will be described later' the first result is secured by removing the vapors from the` radiator when the liquid therein is heated, cooling and condensing the vapors, and returning the liquid condensate to the radiator.l Thus it is that where, prior to my invention, there was a continuous loss of the 35 cooling medium, by my invention all such losses are obviated and there is no longer yany necessity for continually having to add water, alcohol or other anti-freeze solution, to the supply kof Y e e y in order to keep the supply up to the required amount. y

Inthe winter time a considerable saving is tliuseifected by virtue of having to purchase only the required amount of miti-freeze` 95 solution at the beginning of the cold season, and in the summer time a real advantage is obtained by use of my invention in that the danger of overheating the motor is considercooling medium inthe radiator for some reason the quantity of cooling inediuni iii the radiator is reduced, as by evaporation, leakage or the like, the heat of the motor will cause this reduced quantity to be heated to a degi'ee higher than would `be the case if the radiator was filled to the required level.v Thus the liquid remaining in the radiator is evaporated at an increased rate and, prior to my invention, the quantity thereoi further reduced which resulted in raising the remaining liquid to an even greater degree of heat, so that in a short time the motor would be overheated with great danger of scoring the c lindei. burnin(r out a bearinr C i 23 D7 or other ills common to automobile motors.

My invention does away with most of these conditions because all of the vapor arising from the liquid in the radiator is condensed and returned to the radiator so that there is no loss of the liquid, and therefore no occasion under1 ordinary conditions for the temperature of the cooling medium to further increase.

By the use of my invention one is enabled to safely operate his autombolie motor at temperatures suiiiciently near Vthe boiling point of water so that an increased economy of fuel vis obtained, it being commonly recognized that automobile motors will operate more eiliciently at temperatures around the boiling ,point of water than they will at temperatures below.

flhe second object is attained by my invention in this manner-. The rise in temperature ot water when the motor is operated tends to drive oil the dissolved oxygen in the water, and since the vapors are returned to the radiator in the form ot distilled water it will be seen that my device operates to reduce the oxygen content and hence reduce corrosionY `et heinetal parts in contact with the water.

My invention prevent-s the precipitation of sludge because the vapors are returned to the radiator and itis unnecessary to continually add fresh water and the containedV impurities. Thus'where prior to my invention the continued additions of Water to replace whatwas evaporated eventually caused a precipitation of sludge due to the concentration of impurities, by the use .of my invention such additions are not necessary and the concentration of salts in the water and eventual precipitation of sludge does not take place, excepting the usual decomposition of bicarbonates and precipitation of normal carbonates of the alkaline earths. Y

Another object of my invention is topprovide means to prevent the escape of vapors through the usual overflow pipe, which means is so formed and arranged thatunder excessive pressure in the radiator the overiiow pipe is opened for con'iniunication with the atmosphere. g

Other; objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the artto which it appertains after a consideration of the following detailed description of one preferred embodiment of the same which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is an exterior view showing my device mounted on the usual radiator cap;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section showing my device as it would appear when mounted on an automobile radiator;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line corresponding to the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view looking down on my device when the top plate is removed;

Figure 5 is a disassembled view showing the different parts ol my device;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed view showing in vertical cross section l.the type of biased valve whichV I employ inV connection with the overflow pipe of the radiator;

Figure 7 is avertical sectional view showing one modilication of my invention; and

Figure 8 .is a plan view, corresponding to Figure 4, looking down on the modification illustrated in Figure 7 and with the top plate removed.

The usual automobile radiator 1 is coniinonly suppliedwith a iiller opening 2 liaving an Vupper threaded end 3 on which is adapted to be secured a. radiator cap or clo sure 4. Some types of radiffitorclosures are not threaded but are secured to the radiator in various ways, but since my invention is not concerned with the particular type of radiator cap, I liaveshown only the conventional screw threaded cap.-V The usual overflow pipe for the radiator is indicated by the reference numeral 5. y

rWhen my invention is employed the radiator closure 4 is provided with. a central opening 7, see Figure 2, `which receives the threaded tube 8. The tube 8 extends a short distance below the cap 4 and also extends above the cap 4 a substantial distance and has its upper end 9 threaded toireceive an apertured plate l() thereon. The plate l0 is provided with a down turned peripheral flange 12 tor the purpose of receiving the top plate 14 thereon and in leak tight relation therewith. The plates 1 0 and 14 maybe joined together at their edges by soldering, or the like, the plate 14 being also provided with a down turned peripheral flange 15 for this purpose. The flange l5 may be provided with an ornamental bead 1G if desired. The plates 1() and 14 are so formed as to provide therebetween a chamber 2O in communica'- tion through the tube 8 with the vapor space of the radiator 1 so that any vapors arising `from the liquid in the radiator' will pass through the tube V8 and into the chamber 20.

A condensing coil oi spiral formation is chamber 20, condensing the saine, and relus ' vapor from the radiator being drawn upk lpressed downwardly so ythe lliquid condensate 'to the radiaft'or. As, shown in Figure 4,- the plate 10 'is :provided at one point near the edge thereof with a slit'27 having one edge 28 thereof pressed upwardly and the other edge 29 A as tov provide an opening for the upper end 3l of the coil of vt'i'ib'ng 24. The end' 3l of `the coil 24 is secured to the plate 10 in anydesired manner as by soldering, vwhile the other end 32 of the coil`24 is bent to a radial position for the purpose' ofgcommunicatiug with the interior of the tube' 8.

For this purpose a small iitting 35 having any axial boreand a lateral bore is threaded into the tube S, as clearly shown in Figure 2. end of the fitting 35 receives the end 32 of the coil 24,'Kwhile interiorly ofthe tube 8 a small pipe is secured in any desired manner' within the lateral bore ofthe fitting 35. Thus a complete circuit is established, the

through thc'tube 8 into the chamber 20 and the coil`24 Where it condenses and forms liquid which thenmoves downwardlyy inthe coil 24 through the'fitting 35 and the small pipe 37 back into the radiator again, the liquid flbwing down the coil 24 or the small pipe 37'formingslugs; or liquid pistons therein which move downwardly under the action of gravity and thereby serve to draw more vapor' up through thetube 8 and into the chamber" 20," thus establishing ythe proper circulation.

In order to prevent escape of vapors through` the usual overflow pipe 5, I provide a biased valve 40 which tends to remain closed to prevent the escape of vaporsV through the overflow pipe 5. The type of biased valve which I' preferably employ is one in thel form of a taperedr'ubberplug having downwardly opening lips 4I which will remainclosed against upward pressure and will also remain closed: against downwardv pressure up to a certain amountf In Vthe 4'form shown. the

valve 40 will remain closed against downward pressure, that is, internal pressurein y the radiator I, until the pressure exceeds two or three poundsper square inch. It has been found'tliat under ordinary operating conditions the pressure of the vapors in the radiator 2'r'arely exceed two-or three pounds per square inch, hence, normally the valve 40' is closed so offthe liquid in the radiator will be condensed and returned to the supply in the ra' diator. The only purpose of the valve 40 is to serve as a means for causing all of the vapors to -be condensedwhile Lyet allowing the radiator l to be'ventedV to the atmosphere inthe ca se of some abnormal condition where moreV vapor would be formedr than could be condensed. l

.The `valve 4() is tapered so that one size of valve may fit two` or more sizes of overflow for which it is adapted.

that all of the vapors passing pipes 5.A As shown in Figure 2 the valve 40 is fitted into one of thesmaller sizes of pipes Surrounding the coil 24 is a circular casing 50 having a plurality` of apertures 5ll formed therein forv the purpose of allowing atmospheric air to come in contact with the eXterior walls of the coil 24 whereby the vapor therein is cooled and condensed. i The casing 50 is adapted to be seated within the flange 12 ofthe upper plate I0 and to` be clamped between the plate l0 and a lower plate 55 having a similar flange 56 to receive the casing 50.

The` rplate 55 Vis provided with a central` threaded aperture so that it may be screwed onto the tube 8, asillustrated in `Figure 2. The plate 55 maybe provided with a pair ofk holes 57 vfor the reception of a spanner wrenchwhereby .the parts may lbe secured together. rllheilower end of the tube 8 receiver; the nut 59 which servesr to hold the condenser assemblyA on a radiator cap or closure 4, and I may also provide a` lock nut 60 for the purpose of securing the nut 59 in place.

In forming `the casing 50 I contemplate making the same of a single strip of metal, bending the same to circular formation as illustrated Ain Figure 3 and bringing the ends of the strip `in abutting relation, then securing the ends together by means of a plate 63 which may be soldered, welded or otherwise secured to the ends 65 and 66 of the strip forming the casing 50. Thetube 24 hasabutting contact, as indicated at G4, with thercasing 50. i

The principal difference between my invention as embodied in the device illustrated in Figure 2 and the modification sliownin Fig ure-7 is that a circular series of relatively short vertical tubes of small diameter are substituted for the coil 24. As shownv in Figure 7 an upperchamber is'formed by the top plate 7 0 having a peripheral flange y7l and an upper plate 73 having a similarly formed flange 74. The two plates 7 O and 73 are se cured together in a manner similar tothat described in connection with Figure 2. The upper plate 73 is provided with a central threaded aperture 74 to receive the central. tube 76 which is provided with a lower thread ed end 77 similarto the tube 8 illustrated in Figure 2. The lower plates 79 and .80 are formed to provide a lower chamber 82`similar tothe chamber 83 formed by the plates 70 and 73. These chambers 82 and 83 are in comroo munic'ationwith one another through a series in Figure 7, or both ends of each of thesey tubes 85 may be soldered in position if desired. The plate 80 is provided with an upwardly extending peripheral flange 87 having threaded connection with flange 88 formed on the plate 79, and at its lower and central portion the plate has secured thereto, as by soldering, a nut member 90. Y

As made clear in Figur-e 7, the lower plate 80 has an aperture 91 of larger diameter than the tube 76 for the purpose of allowing'communication between the chamber 82 and a series of vertical apertures 93 extending around the tube 76 and opening into an annular groove 95 formed in the mit member 90. A series of apertures 97 are formed in the tube 7 G in a position to be opposite the annular groove 95 when the parts are in assembled relation. A nut 98 threaded on thc tube 76 serves to secure the condenser in position on theradiator cap or closure 4, and a lock nut 99 may be provided to maintain the nut 98 tight. A gasketV 100 may be interposed betweenV the nutmember and the top of the radiator cap.

A casing 102 similar to the casing 50 of Figure 1 is mounted between the plates 73 and 79 and held in place therein by the flanges 74 and 88. The casing 102 is provided with a series or plurality of openings 103 therein for the same purpose as the openings 51 in the casing 50.

The operation of the modified form of my invention illustrated in Figure 7 is substantially the same as the operation of the form illustrated in Figure 2. The vapor is cooled and condensed in tubes 85, which Vare subjectedto contact with the atmospheric air through the openings 103, and the liquid condensate runs out of the tubes 85 drawing more vapor up through the tube 76 and into the chamber`83, then through the chamber 82 and the openings 98 into thegroove 95 from whence it Hows back into the radiator through the openings 97.

It the rate of condensation is not such that liquid slugs are formed in the tubes 85, then the liquid condensate runs crown the inside oi the tubes 85 into the chamber 82 and collects in a pool in or above the annular groove from which it escapes through openings 97 back into the radiator, and 1n so escaping serves to draw more vapor up through the central tube 7 6, thus establishing the proper circulation. Y

VThe biased valve 40 is employed. with both of the modifications illustrated in Figures 2 and 7n respectively.

While I have described, in connection with t e accompanying drawings,the specific forms Yin which I prefer to embody my invention,

it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific means which I have herein shown and described, and that, in fact, widely different means may be employed in the practice in the broader aspects ot my invention. i That I claim` therefore, anddesire to se cure by Letters Patent is:

1. A condenser for radiators comprising means leading into the Vapor space of the radiator and adapted to convey vapor therefrom, and means including relatively small tubing in communication with the top of said first named means end leading back into communication with the radiator, said last named means also including a conduit means in communication with the tubing and passing through said first named means.

Q. A condenser for radiators comprising means leading into the vapor space of the radiator and adapted to convey vapor therefrom, and means including relatively small tubing in communication with the top of said first namedl means and leading back into communicat'on with the radiator, said last named means ais-o including means forming a chambe' at the lower end of said tubing and a conduit in communication with said cha-mber and passing through said lirst named means.

3. A condenser for automobile radiators comprising, in combination, a tube communicating at one end with the vapor space of said radiator, aipair of plates formed to provide a. chamber therebetween, one of said plates having threaded connection with said tube, said tube and chamber being adapted to receive vapor from the heated liquid in the radiator, a coil of relatively small tubing in coinnninication with the chamber and adapted to receive vapor therefrom, said coil arranged to be cooled by the atmosphere so as to thereby condense the vapor therein and leading' downwardly so that the liquid condensate flows out under the action of gravity, a second tube within said first named tube and having a fitting extended therethrough ior connection to said coil, and means to secure the condenser to the radiator.

4. A condenser for automobile radiators comprising, in combination, a tube com1nunicating at one end with the vapor space vof said radiator, a pair of plates formed to provide a chamber therebetween, one of said plates having threaded connection with said tube, said tube and chamber being adapted to receive vapor from the heated liquid in the radiator. a coil of relatively small tubing in communication with the chamber and adapt-cd to receive vapor therefrom, said coil arrmged to be cooled by the atmosphere so as tothereby condense the vapor therein and leading downwardly so thatY the liquid condensate fiows out under the action of gravity, a second tube within said iirst named tube and having a. fitting extended therethrough for connect-ion to said coil, a perforated cas ing surrounding the coil, a plate threaded on said first tube and adapted to hold the casing in place, and means to clamp a radiator cap to the last named plate.

5. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a radiator having a radiator closure and an overfiow pipe, of a condenser comprising means leading into the radiator through an opening in said closure and adapted to convey vapor therefrom, a cham-` ber at the top thereof, and means including relatively small tubing leading from the chamber and terminating above said closure in said conveying means, and tube means enclosed by said conveying means and leading back into the radiator, and a yielding, valve associated with said overflow pipe to establish a predetermined maximum pressure Within said radiator, said valve opening outwardly to vent the radiator to the atmosphere when said predetermined pressure is exceeded.

6. A condenser for radiators comprising a conduit leading into the radiator and adaptcd to convey vapor therefrom, said conduit being enlarged at its upper end to provide a closed chamber and the enlarged portion of the conduit having a slot therein with one edge of the slot struck inwardly and the other` struck outwardly, and a conduit passing through the slot and lying in the channel so formed, leading back into the radiator for condensing the vapor and conducting the con-v densate back into the radiator.

7. A condenser for radiators comprising a conduit leading into the radiator and adapted to convey vapor therefrom, said conduit being enlarged at its upper end to provide a closed chamber, a coil of relatively small tubing terminating in said chamber, the enlarged portion of the conduit having means struck therefrom for securing the end of said tubing terminating in said chamber, and means for connecting the other end of said tubing with said conduit for leading the condensed vapor back into the radiator.

In witness whereof,I hereunto subscribe my name this 7th day of March, 1930.

RAYMOND C. PRATT. 

